Andy Burnham’s choice to join a progressive rally featuring leading Green and Liberal Democrat figures has provoked criticism from certain Labour MPs, who claim he is weakening their local election message.
The Greater Manchester mayor, regarded as one of the leading contenders to challenge Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership, is set to speak at the Change:Now gathering this month, organised by the left‑wing group Compass.
Compass’s founder, Neal Lawson, has long advocated a cross‑party progressive alliance and is also a notable supporter of Burnham.
Two additional Labour MPs, Clive Lewis – who has offered to relinquish his seat for Burnham – and Miatta Fahnbulleh, the communities minister, are also scheduled to address the event. Other speakers include Caroline Lucas, former Green party leader; James Meadway, head of the Green‑aligned think‑tank Verdant; Vince Cable, former Liberal Democrat cabinet minister; and Liberal Democrat MP Roz Savage.
The event aims to demonstrate how progressives can cooperate across party lines, an idea Burnham has long promoted. However, its timing – just weeks after local elections that have pitted Labour against the Greens in many areas – has angered several of his colleagues.
Luke Akehurst, MP for North Durham and a Starmer backer, said fellow Labour members should not share a platform with Green politicians and activists, given the recent antisemitism controversies involving that party. Two Green candidates in London were recently arrested over alleged antisemitic social media posts, while the party is investigating others concerning their online activity.
“Anyone in the Labour party who has been pushing the idea of a progressive alliance with the Greens ought to rethink that now, in light of the revelations about the scale of antisemitism among their council candidates,” Akehurst remarked.
Another Labour MP commented: “Activists and candidates nationwide are battling for Labour seats on councils; this is not the moment to discuss coalitions. It was troubling enough when Andy said he would work with [Jeremy] Corbyn (and Your party); now he wants to ally with another party plagued by antisemitism? That is untenable.”
Burnham did not respond to requests for comment. An ally stated: “It is absurd to suggest Andy is backing other parties. He is promoting progressive ideas to aid the Labour party. Do people not want anyone to exchange ideas or debate where progressives should head?”
Lawson defended the gathering, arguing it offers a vital path to progressive achievement. “In a multi‑party landscape confronting major complex issues, progressives will need to collaborate on ideas to defeat Reform and its roots,” he said. “When outdated factionalism and extreme tribalism alienate the public from politics, we require space to consider the policies that will improve the country.”
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